Why spinal shock is followed by autonomic dysreflexia? Why the nervous system response is exagerated?

Question

Thank you for your help

Answer 1

autonomic dysreflexia (or hyperreflexia) is a somewhat confusing topic. the simplest explanation is that there are inhibitory nerves from the brain traveling down the spinal cord which serve to moderate all spinal cord reflexes. meaning when someone taps your knee and your leg kicks, that's entirely a spinal reflex. the brain's not involved at all. in response to painful stimulus, your body reacts with a reflexive sympathetic response at the spinal cord level as well causing increased blood pressure, and under normal circumstances the inhibitory nerves from your brain would moderate this response. but if you had a spinal cord injury high enough (approximately T7 level or higher), then those inhibitory nerves wouldn't be able to inhibit those spinal reflexes if you were for instance having abdominal surgery.

Answer 2

Autonomic dysreflexia is common when a spinal injury is high. The body cannot communicate normally with the brain. Nerve messages go toward the brain, but they can't get there. The body responds with elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and characteristic red blotches that begin on the neck and sides of the face, continuing down the shoulders and chest.

Some stressors that might set off an AD episode are pain, an overfull bladder, pressure sores, bowel irregularity. AD is very serious. The elevated blood pressure could cause a stroke. Emergency room responses may include applying a topical chemical of some sort that lowers the blood pressure.

There are quite a few excellent sources of information about AD on the Internet.

My son has a spinal cord injury, level 4,5,6, and his AD issues are usually bladder related - overfull or infection.

Answer 3

For a start both the preacher and the JWs are wrong. Nowhere in the bible does it say we should go door to door... NOWHERE. Mt 28:19 says go make disciples Mk 16:!5 says "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" M 24:14 says "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Now JWs will tell you that they're the only church doing this but it's just plain arrogance or ignorance (I'm not sure which). 8 million JWs preaching to 8 billion people ... The reality is that JWs are pretty much detested for their door knocking. Being detested is not a good place to start witnessing or preaching. The main stream Christian churches preach around the world (and there are up 2 billion of them) they just don't' go door to door. In fact friendship evangelism / preaching is by far the most effective. In fact just one Anglican initiative "The Alpha Course" has takend 24 million people in 169 countries and 112 languages through a detailed course on Christianity. JWs are generally nice people and somewhat bible trained (I say somewhat because if you depart from the arguments they're given by their WatchTower publication they struggle - just like the preacher!!). Unfortunately they are massively deluded about the development of their own doctrine, their own history, the characters who ran them and those who do now, their belief they don't have leaders, their nutty views of birthdays, Christmas, blood transfusion, the cross, shunning, the divinity of Christ (Jesus is an archangel!).... etc.. The list goes on. But if you want tangible proof that they are not all they claim to be in terms of followers of Christ and the bible then test them on these things... 1) The bible tells us to feed the poor. Lu 3:11, Ro 12:20 Mt 25:37 and a many others. Yet JWs feed no-one who isn't a JW. Test if they claim they do and if they're lying or exaggerating you know what they're really like. 2) Help the poor. 1Jo 3:17, Ro 12:13, Lu 6:20, Ez 16:49, Pr 19:7 and others. Again do JWs help the poor? Nah! Not a sign of them in our local communities or on a worldwide stage unless of course there are JWs in need!! 3) Help widows and orphans... 1Ti 5:3, Ja 1:27, ... and where are the JWs??? 4) Fight injustice... Ex 23:6, Is 1:17, ... yet again do you see JWs doing this?? The bare faced reality is that JWs don't do much for anyone who isn't a JW! Oh they go door to door but is that to share Christ or to gain recruits? If it were to share Christ then they'd be sharing Christ's love by feeding the hungry, looking after orphans and widows, helping the poor and fighting for justice around the world and on their own doorsteps.... You be the judge!

Answer 4

Other complications of a spinal cord injury may include:

* Urinary tract problems. A spinal cord injury that affects nerves that run to the bladder can cause urinary incontinence — the inability to control the release of urine from your bladder. Loss of bladder control increases your risk of urinary tract infections. It may also cause kidney infection and kidney or bladder stones. Drinking plenty of clear fluids and using a catheter — a thin, soft tube that you insert into your urethra and bladder to drain your urine — several times a day may help.
* Bowel management difficulties. After a spinal cord injury, voluntary control of the bowels may be lost or impaired. This can make it difficult for stool to move through your intestines, or it can result in fecal incontinence — the inability to control your bowel movements. Eating a high-fiber diet can help regulate your bowels. Medications and other products are also available to manage waste elimination.
* Pressure sores. Sitting or lying in the same position for a long period of time can cause pressure sores, which are also called decubitus ulcers or bedsores. People with a spinal cord injury are particularly susceptible to pressure sores because the injury reduces or eliminates sensations, making it difficult to know when a sore is developing. Changing positions frequently — with help, if needed — is the best way to prevent these sores.
* Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Sitting for long periods of time can also decrease blood flow through the veins and cause blood clots to form. These blood clots can develop in a vein deep within a muscle (deep vein thrombosis), and they can lead to a blocked pulmonary artery in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Large clots that block blood flow can be fatal, so people with spinal cord injury may need devices or medications to try to prevent clotting.
* Lung and breathing problems. It's more difficult to breathe and cough with weakened abdominal and chest muscles, so people with cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury may develop pneumonia, asthma or other lung problems. Medications and therapy can treat these problems. In some instances, people with spinal cord injury may also need a yearly flu shot or other immunizations.
* Autonomic dysreflexia. Spinal cord injury above the middle of the chest may cause a condition called autonomic dysreflexia. This dangerous condition occurs when an irritation or pain below the level of the injury sends a signal that fails to reach the brain, producing a reflex action that can constrict blood vessels. The result is a rise in blood pressure and a drop in heart rate that can result in stroke or seizure. Changing positions or eliminating the cause of the irritation — which can be something as simple as a full bladder or tight clothes — can help.
* Spasticity. Some people with spinal cord injury develop muscle spasms and jumping of their arms and legs. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that they're recovering. These exaggerated reflexes occur because some of the nerves in the lower spinal cord become more sensitive after injury and cause muscle contractions. However, because of the spinal cord injury, the brain can no longer send signals to the lower nerves to regulate the contractions. Medical treatments may be needed if spasms become severe.
* Weight control issues. After a spinal cord injury, weight loss and muscle atrophy are common. But the change in lifestyle and activities may eventually cause weight gain, which can make it difficult for you to lift yourself — or be lifted — from place to place and put you at risk of heart disease and other problems. It's a good idea to develop an exercise and diet plan with assistance from a dietitian and rehabilitation therapist.
* Sexual dysfunction. Many men with a spinal cord injury still have erections, even men with little sensation in the genital area. But the erections may not be firm enough or last long enough for sexual activity. Fertility also can be affected. Ninety percent of men with a spinal cord injury aren't able to ejaculate during intercourse. However, this doesn't mean that men with a spinal cord injury can't be sexually active or father a child. Doctors, urologists and fertility specialists who specialize in spinal cord injury can offer options for better sexual functioning and fertility. Women with a spinal cord injury also may benefit from seeing a doctor about changes in their sexuality and fertility. There's usually no physical change in women with a spinal cord injury that inhibits sexual intercourse or pregnancy. But women may lose the ability to produce vaginal lubrication or control the vaginal muscles, and many experience changes in body image that affect sexuality. In addition, any pregnancy will likely be considered high risk. It's important to talk with a doctor before becoming pregnant.
* Pain. You may experience pain as a result of damage to your spinal cord or other parts of your body during your accident. It's possible to feel pain in areas of your body where there's little or no sensation. You may also experience pain from overusing muscles in one part of the body. For example, many people develop shoulder tendinitis from manually operating a wheelchair for a long period of time. Any kind of pain can have a negative impact on daily living. Medications and modified activities can help manage pain.
* New injuries. People with a spinal cord injury are susceptible to injury of any part of the body that has impaired sensation. Someone with a spinal cord injury may even receive a burn or cut without realizing it. Take steps to prevent new injuries and to inspect your body for any cuts or sores that need medical attention.

Nervous system is exaggerated because it is composed of nerves. and it is part of their function to act quickly. For me, I can compare it to a domino effect. Because when one part of the body is affected it alerts everyone else to cope with it...